Strychnos
henningsii = Afrikaans: koffiehardepeer/rooi. bitter.bessie; English: coffee bean
strychnos/= coffee.
hard pear/= Natal teak (Lamiales)/=
panda’s
strychnos/= walking stick, Zulu: umdunye, umnonono, umqalothi
(AgroForestry Tree Database, 2009) (also in van Wyk et al.)
[Maharaj Poonam]
MIND: Cheerful
MIND: Irritability
MIND: Prostration
GENERALS: Sides; right
GENERALS:
Weariness
[Ashley Hilton/Adrian Ross]
AIM:
This study sought to appraise homoeopathic proving methodology as a
bridge between the indigenous and rationalist-scientific understandings of
medicinal plants through a detailed exploration of the relationships existing
between data derived from respective paradigmatic explorations of a single
African traditional medicinal plant, Strychnos henningsii [Red bitterberry].
Methods The data derived from the implementation of a triple-blind,
placebo-controlled homoeopathic proving methodology, on 32 healthy human
subjects (50% placebo), using the bark of Strychnos henningsii in the 30CH
potency, were evaluated for internal consistency and coherence, and
subsequently compared to data derived from a phytochemical analysis of the
crude bark sample, and translated data derived from semi-structured
mothertongue interviews of eight Zulu traditional healers.
The proving data took the form of subjective journal data and the
results of four objective blood measures of erythrocyte sedimentation rate
(ESR), redand white blood cell indices, and liver functions. The subjective
data were evaluated in terms of defined inclusion criteria and presented in
standard materia medica and repertory formats, and tabulations of objective
data were subjected to independent statistical analysis, using
repeated-measures ANOVA and profile plots. The crude bark sample was analysed
in terms of the presence of strychnine and other indole alkaloids, using
highperformance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and interview data
related to the indigenous understanding and application of Strychnos henningsii
within the traditional African medical paradigm, were audiovisually recorded,
collaboratively translated, and independently verified.
ABSTRACT
Qualitative data processing and analysis was effected with the aid of
NVivo® software, and a range of comparative analyses were effected with the aid
of Radar® homoeopathic software, materia medica references and the Mappa Mundi
elemental theory model. Results The proving yielded 581 subjective symptoms,
covering a broad range of physical and mental disease manifestations, and nine
statistically-significant treatment effects within the objective data set.
These included elevation of ESR and changes in two red blood cell indices, four
white blood cell indices and two liver function indices. The two proving data
sets were demonstrated to show high levels of correlation, although these
correlations were not demonstrable for all provers. The phytochemical analysis
confirmed the presence of between two and five strychnine-related compounds
(excl. strychnine itself), and the field interview data served to confirm all
except two documented traditions of use,
as well as identifying a number of novel indications and application of
Strychnos henningsii bark. The comparative analyses demonstrated the integrity
of homoeopathic proving methodology as a mode of scientific investigation, and
significant and widespread overlaps of proving symptomatology with both the
pharmacology and toxicology of strychnine, and the physical and metaphysical
understanding and application within the traditional African medical paradigm.
Conclusions Homoeopathic proving methodology was discussed in terms of the
evident degree of overlap with the indigenous and rationalist-scientific paradigms,
and the incomplete nature of the homoeopathic ‘totality’. A number of
recommendations were made for future cross-paradigmatic research.
The bark of Strychnos henningsii is currently used within the
traditional African medicinal paradigm (Hutchings et al., 1996; van Wyk et al.,
2009). To Zulu traditional healers it is umqalothi, a medicine having certain
properties and virtues within the Zulu conceptualisation and worldview (Mutwa,
1996; Dugmore and van Wyk, 2008). It is applied
in particular contexts that have been passed down through generations of
izinyanga and izangoma, and valued for its role within the medicinal
armamentarium.
The plant, Strychnos henningsii has also been the subject of rationalist
scientific investigation. Within this paradigm of investigation, it has been
accurately described in terms of its botany (Orwa et al., 2009), and viewed
principally as a source of anti-malarial phytochemicals, along with other
species of the same genus (Ohiri et al., 1983; Massiot et al., 1991; Philippe et
al., 2005).
Its documented tradition of use has also prompted some investigation of
antioxidant properties (Oyedemi et al., 2010) and effectiveness as an
appetite-stimulant (Ogeto and Maitai, 1983). The understanding of Strychnos
henningsii as a medicine is defined by the pharmacology and toxicology of its
identified constituent chemicals, which
appear to be predominantly strychnine-like indole alkaloids (Massiot et
al., 1991).
The bark is, therefore, able to be viewed through three lenses, and
understood from the perspective of three varying epistemologies, ontologies and
axiologies. Strychnos henningsii exists as a botanically defined phytomedicine
(which I shall indicate by the conventional taxonomy, Strychnos henningsii), as
a traditionally-conceptualised and -utilised Zulu medicine, umqalothi (which I
shall indicate through the use of the isiZulu nomenclature, umqalothi), and as
a homoeopathic remedy (which I ll indicate
by the normal font bold botanical name, Strychnos henningsii).
Whilst some attributes of umqalothi have been described in terms of the
scientific understanding of Strychnos henningsii (van Wyk et al., 2009; Oyedemi
et al., 2010),
the understanding of umqalothi (as it is held within the oralate Zulu
community of healers) is poorly described in the literature and in the absence
of a homoeopathic proving, the scope of application of Strychnos henningsii is
unknown.
In this study I sought to define Strychnos henningsii as a homoeopathic
medicine through a methodology that had a number of features that promoted
objectivity in the procurement and handling of data and sought to evaluate the
strength and consistency of the methodology itself (as a representation of the
homoeopathic understanding
of the medicinal plant, Strychnos henningsii). Thereafter I compared the
data derived from the homoeopathic proving to existing data of Strychnos
henningsii and specific
phytochemical analysis of the bark sample used in preparation of Strychnos
henningsii (as a representation of the rationalist-scientific understanding of
the plant).
Both these sets of data were then compared to data derived from the
documented tradition of use of umqalothi, and qualitative data derived from
field interviews of
eight Zulu traditional healers living and working in the province of
KwaZulu-Natal.
Based upon my work as a homoeopathic doctor, my study of homoeopathic
materia medica and previous experience of homoeopathic proving methodology and
my
exposure to TAM, I proposed that the understanding derived from the
homoeopathic proving of Strychnos henningsii would be internally consistent,
would serve as a
‘bridge’ between the epistemologies and understandings of Strychnos
henningsii and umqalothi, and would stimulate evaluation and re-evaluation of
our preconceptions
and understandings of health, disease and the concept of holism.
Vergleich: Siehe: Gentianales.
Repertorium:
Magen: im Allgemeinen
Rektum: Beschwerden durch Bandwürmer
Glieder: Schmerz – rheumatisch
Overview:
Symptom Traditional
use Proving
symptoms
Abdominal Pain Sharp abdominal pain encircling the
umbilicus; or. Sharp, stabbing
pains. Localised to the peri-umbilical
the abdomen bloated region
were being drawn inward
General digestive sensitivity and
either diarrhoea
Diarrhoea with a loss of energy
Nausea and Vomiting A
purgative
An emetic to induce vomiting Intense
nausea, extreme gastric sensitivity and
forceful abdominal cramping
Cramps Intense,
disabling pain that cuts right through you. Cramps
(particularly abdominal cramps) and spasms (strychnine)
Headaches Arising
from evil charms Headache in temples and eyes with blurry vision
Sensation
of heat and congestion in the vertex, throbbing, and irritation
Throbbing pain located behind my left eye and temporal
region
of
the eyes with disturbances of vision
Diabetes and Dysuria Diabetes mellitus, with weight loss
and burning Intense craving
for sugar and sweet things and unquenchable thirst
on urination Dysuria
- sensation of burning within the urethra
Liver Detoxification processes Nausea,
bad taste in the mouth, Biliousness
Emetic, Blood cleanser Early
afternoon exhaustion
Dark stool
Debility, Weakness and Depressed Debilitated Depletion
of energy, Prostration and weakness
Immune Function HIV Immune system is depleted
Feelings of fluiness
Sensations Aching/Sore
Aching/Sore
Pounding/Throbbing, Pulling,
Stabbing, Twisting Pounding/Throbbing,
Pulling, Stabbing, Twisting
Spiritual grounding Forces
Connection to an ancestral dimension
Confidence and Perceived Strength
Source of confidence and strength Spiritual
Grounding and Connection
A comparison between the traditional use of Strychnos henningsii and the
homoeopathic indications of Strychnos
henningsii 30CH.
After critical evaluation, it was found that overlaps exist in the treatment of liver
disease, nausea, Dysmenorrhea.x rheumatism, chest
pain, malaria and dizziness, no
overlap was found in the use of
the homoeopathic remedy in snakebites. In addition the proving revealed symptoms
that were not indicated in traditional use such as headaches, asthma,
influenza, sinusitis and hayfever, and infections of the eye, ear, nose and
throat.
Conclusion
Thus, upon comparison of the traditional uses of Strychnos henningsii to the symptoms produced in the proving of Strychnos henningsii 30CH, revealed
that similarities pertaining mainly to the gastro-intestinal system, female
gynaecological tract and rheumatic complaints exist. However, the proving
elicited many new symptoms that are purely homoeopathic.
In modern society; majorities of people are still reliant upon
traditional medicine (van Wyk & Wink, 2004). Furthermore, according to
Sherr (1994:49) a suitable reason for choosing a certain substance is that upon
examination of the material medica gaps are found which that particular
substance may fill. Therefore, more provings of substances could prove useful.
Most indigenous medicine was transmitted via word of mouth from one generation
to the next. This is exemplified within the context of African traditional
medicine, where the various regional healing practices are not well documented
and not yet systemized, (van Wyk & Wink, 2004).
The proving substance chosen was Strychnos
henningsii a tree indigenous to S. Africa/forms an important part of the
ecosystem and has a multitude of uses which has lead to overexploitation,
causing the tree to become rare in some areas.
Strychnos henningsii belongs to the Strychnaceae (formerly Loganiaceae)family and the genus Strychnos. The Strychnos species of plants consists
of 190 species, distributed throughout Africa, Asia and America. This species
of plants are characterized by the presence of strychnine and its alkaloid
derivatives, which are known to be highly poisonous (van Wyk & Wink, 2004).
Trees and shrubs belonging to the Strychnos
species are usually fruit bearing and are characterised simple leaves
which have three to five prominent veins that arise from the base of each leaf
(van Wyk & Gericke, 2000:58).
Fruit of the trees belonging to this species are a common source of
food, however only the pulp of the ripe fruit are eaten because the seeds and
unripe fruit contain the poison and its derivatives (van Wyk, van Heerden &
van Oudtshoorn, 2005:204).
Strychnos henningsii is a common source of food in
certain parts of Africa where it is added to fatty, meat based and milky soups
and stews and in beer, and is also used in building and providing live fencing.
Strychnos henningsii has several uses but it is more
commonly known for its therapeutic properties and is widely utilized in
Traditional African medicine (van Wyk, van Heerden & van Oudtshoorn,
2005:204):
Snakebites/malaria/gastro-intestinal complaints/dysmenorrhea/rheuma and
other conditions.
It has also been used in malaria and several studies have been performed
on isolated alkaloids to test its anti-malarial properties (van Wyk & Wink,
2004).
Although it is used medicinally, Strychnos
henningsii is often used as a poison because of the high toxicity of its
strychnine component. Due to its extensive use within the context of
traditional medicine, it was hypothesized that this substance prepared in
homoeopathic potency could provide a valuable contribution to Homoeopathy.
Historical perspective
In Aphorisms 105-114 of the Organon of the Medical Art, Hahnemann laid
down detailed instructions on performing homoeopathic provings. Up until the 18th
century, drugs were prescribed based largely on observation of their toxic
effects/poisonings. Hahnemann’s, theory of provings, was revolutionary, as it
introduced the concept of scientific experimentation with medicinal substances,
as a basis for prescribing with them (De Schepper 2006:32).
In addition to expanding the Materia medica, provings are of great
significance and should be continued as Hahnemann recognized that, for every
disease a remedy can be found that fits its symptom picture (Aphorism145, O’
Reilly 2004: 162).
The process of a proving is one that should be ongoing as, according to
Sherr (1994:49), there is an abundance of substances in nature, which are
waiting to be proven.
In addition, he states that ‘Of course it is impossible to prove nature
in her entirety, but in order to find a true simillimum for the majority of our
patients many more provings must be undertaken’(Sherr 1994:49). Therefore,
provings are an integral component of expanding homoeopathy as a discipline.
Traditional medicine
The World Health Organization (WHO), defines traditional medicine as, ‘the health practices, approaches, knowledge
and beliefs incorporating plant, animal and mineral based medicines, spiritual
therapies, manual techniques and exercises, applied singularly or in
combination to treat, diagnose and preventillnesses or maintain well-being (World
Health Organization 2003).
Traditional medicine is steeped in philosophical and cultural origins
(van Wyk & Wink, 2004). In modern society majorities of people are still
reliant upon traditional medicine (van Wyk & Wink, 2004). Furthermore,
according to Sherr (1994:49) a suitable reason for choosing a certain substance
is that upon examination of the materia medica gaps are found which that
particular substance may fill. Therefore, more provings of substances could
prove useful.
Most indigenous medicine was transmitted via word of mouth from one
generation to the next. This is exemplified within the context of African
traditional medicine, where the various regional healing practices are not yet
systemized, (van Wyk & Wink, 2004).
Due to the lack of scientific insight on predicating the curative nature
of a medicinal substance, the knowledge of these traditional medicines, was
obtained through trial and error (van Wyk & Wink, 2004). People who use
traditional medicines have largely relied on personal experience to determine
the efficacy of medicinal plants when used in therapeutic doses, rather than
understanding the scientific basis (van Wyk & Wink, 2004).
In addition, the use of medicinal substances is often steeped in
superstitious beliefs and witchcraft.
An example of such a practice is in the practice of Shamanism, which
encompasses a variety of traditional practices and beliefs that is primarily
concerned with communication with the spirit world (Stutley, 2002:2).
This practice makes use of a Shaman, who serves as an intermediary
between the spirit and human worlds. By transcending into the supernatural
realm, they are capable of treating illness and providing answers for human
troubles (Stutley, 2002:2).
Within the S. African context, Zulu traditional medicine (umuthi)
consists of practices that include making use of witchdoctors (isangoma) who
communicate with ancestral spirits and treat accordingly, as well as a
traditional herbalist (inyanga) who make use of traditional medicines from
plant and animal substances. Furthermore, diviners who ‘smell out’ evil doers
and sorcerers are also part of the Zulu traditional medicinal system.
In Zulu traditional medicine, the traditional healer uses intuition and
certain unique methods of diagnosis (ThinkQuest, 2009). In this system of
medicine the healer, very rarely diagnoses by touching the patient and employs
a more perceptive approach. This power of perception is regarded as an innate
ability inherited by the isangoma and so the isangoma has no choice and is
sacredly called upon to pursue this particular career (ThinkQuest, 2009).
In the practice of traditional Zulu medicine, there are three primary
methods of diagnosis:
1. Throwing of bones (amathambo) is a method of diagnosing illness that
involves the Doctor interpreting the arrangement of bones and aligning them
with certain health problems.
2. Transmental diagnosis, is a form of diagnosis in which the Sangoma,
gets into an altered state of consciousness (trance- like state) in order to
determine what is wrong with the patient. This trance- like state is often
self- induced as with autohypnosis or brought on by certain drugs or plant
substances.
3. Perceptive diagnosis is a means of diagnosing the patient by
perceiving either by feeling or seeing vibrations emitted by the patient and
interpreting them. In this form of diagnosis, the doctor sits away from the
patient and has the ability to experience the pain felt by the patient
(ThinkQuest, 2009).
Another concept, which permeates many cultures, is the Doctrine of
Signatures (van Wyk & Wink, 2004). This concept is based on the belief that
the appearance of a plant indicates its medicinal properties. This has been
interpreted as God’s signature on the plant (van Wyk & Wink, 2004). A
successful example of this, being the use of Chelidonium majus - that consists
of yellow flowers as well as a yellow alkaloid that contains latex, In the
treatment of jaundice, (van Wyk & Wink, 2004). Within the context of Zulu
medicine, the inyanga gains knowledge of an animal medicinal substance by
observing the behaviour, the agility, strengths, poison as well natural defence
mechanisms of these animals in response to injury and disease (ThinkQuest,
2009). From this knowledge, they are able to manufacture medicines to treat illness.
Plants are also used often; some are used as magical plant medicines. This is
done for their psychoactive properties (intelezi) to ward of evil and calm
fears. Certain plants are used more scientifically to treat specific ailments.
Traditional medicine in Africa is a holistic one, which consists of the
traditional healer diagnosing and treating illness on a psychological basis
before prescribing the required medicinal remedies (van Wyk & Wink, 2004).
S. African records of the traditional usage of medicinal plants have
revealed that a substantial amount of information has been inaccurately
recorded (Normann, Snyman & Cohen, 1996:39). An example being, that which
was recorded previously as a ‘chest complaint’, in fact revealed itself to be
cardiac asthma (left ventricular heart failure) and so the traditional medicine
worked as a diuretic. In keeping with traditional concepts of healing, the
diuretic was prescribed to eradicate the cause of the disease and in this case,
the treatment used is very similar to therapeutics used by modern medicine
(Normann, Snyman & Cohen, 1996:39).
However, in many instances, there is no relation between modern
therapeutics and traditional medicine but traditional therapeutics appear to be
highly effective as it achieves the therapeutic objective from the traditional
therapeutic paradigm. Therefore, the efficacy of each medicinal substance in
relation to certain conditions should be considered from within the biomedical
perspective and from within the traditional paradigm (Normann, Snyman &
Cohen, 1996:39).
Homoeopathy is a system of medicine that is based on the theory that
medicinal substances can be used in dilute forms in the treatment of illnesses
associated with the symptoms produced by high doses of the same substance.
Therefore, crude doses are not used. Potentisation is a means of releasing the
immaterial forces of a substance that is inert in its crude form (van Wyk &
Wink, 2004).
Homoeopathy makes use of substances derived from the plant, animal,
mineral, insect, microorganisms and imponderable sources. African traditional
medicine is a holistic system involving body and mind (van Wyk & Wink,
2004). It makes use of substances derived from plant, animal, micro -
organisms, minerals and insects. This form of medicine makes use of extracts
and crude doses either given individually or in a combination. The relationship
between these two medicinal systems needs to be explored.
A proving of Strychnos Henningsii
Strychnos henningsii is a substance that is indigenous
to Africa. Upon studying the uses of the substance, it was revealed that Strychnos henningsii is widely
utilized in traditional African medicine for a variety of conditions.
This study aimed to examine the symptomatology produced by the
potentised substance, Strychnos
henningsii 30CH, by means of a homoeopathic proving.
This data, once collated was analyzed and compared with the indigenous
uses of the substance.
Common names: Red bitterberry; Coffee bean strychnos;
Coffee hard pear; Walking stick; Panda’s strychnos; Natal teak (English)
Rooibitterbessie; Koffeehardepeer (Afrikaans)
Umqalothi; Umdunye (Zulu) Umnonono; Umkaloti (Xhosa)
Strychnos henningsii is widely distributed throughout S.
Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar, Tanzania, Kenya, Angola, Ethiopia, Swaziland
and Uganda (WorldAgroForestry, 2009). The distribution of the tree along the
East Coast of S. Africa is significant, as these areas are endemic of malaria:
(van Wyk, van Oudshoorn & Gericke, 2005:244)
This is important because this tree is often used traditionally in the
treatment of malaria and according to Sherr (1994:49); nature usually provides
an accessible cure, which is well within the reach
of the patient. The tree usually grows throughout woodland areas, moist
and dry forests, on stream banks, as well as evergreen thickets on rocky hills.
This species tends to be associated with Olea
and Podocarpus pp.
(WorldAgroforestry, 2009).
The appearance of Strychnos
henningsii ranges from a large shrub to a tall tree, ranging from 2-15
meters in height and is highly branched. The leaves of the tree are simple,
opposite and consisting
of three prominent veins that arise from its base, a feature common to
all plants belonging to the Strychnos species.
The colour of the leaves is a bright glossy green. The bark of the tree
is usually pale gray and has a smoother texture in younger plants, which become
flakey, rough and a darker shade of brown in older specimens. In the early
spring and summer, small fragrant flowers which are yellow in colour are
produced along the branches (van Wyk, van Oudshoorn & Gericke, 2005:244).
This tree also bears fruit that range from red, brown to orange when ripe and
are either round or oblong in shape and contain seeds that resemble coffee
granules. (van Wyk, van Oudshoorn & Gericke, 2005:244)
Traditionally, the Strychnos
henningsii tree has wide variety of uses. The structure of the tree
allows it to be used for adequate shade and shelter as well ornamental purposes
due to its shiny foliage shade and fragrant flowers.
It also forms as an important part of the ecosystem where it assists in
preventing water erosion ( WorldAgroforestry, 2009).
Timber from the tree which is dark brown to grey is known for its
strength and durability and is termite-resistant. The strength of the wood
makes it ideal in forming tool handles, arrow shafts and walking sticks. The
poles provide fencing for cattle enclosures and are also used to build huts
(WorldAgroforestry, 2009).
Strychnos henningsii is also an important source of
food. In East Africa, a bitter decoction is prepared by first boiling the stems
or roots for 45 minutes and then straining the mixture, which is then added to
a soup - usually cattle bone soup and stirred with a traditional stirrer
(Fastonline, 1999). Roots of the tree are usually more bitter than the stems
and so only a small amount is added and taste can be improved by adding milk,
cream, meat or salt.
In addition, fruit from the Strychnos henningsii tree is used to flavour
traditional beer.
Despite these uses, Strychnos
henningsii is most well known for its medicinal properties and is used
extensively in traditional African medicine. The parts of the plant are
prepared in a number of ways in different parts of Africa and depending on the
condition being treated. Whilst the roots, stems and fruit are used, the most
often used part of the plant is the bark (PROTA, 2009).
Traditionally, in S. Africa it is mainly used in the treatment of
stomach-ache and colic. An extract of the bark is usually utilized for these
purposes and boiling the roots of the tree, or chewing the
bark are other common dosage forms. S. African healers prepare a
decoction of the bark for use as an antihelminthic in children, whereas in the
Tanzania the fresh pounded roots are used to treat hookworm. It is also used
quite often as a bitter tonic and purgative due to its effects on the liver
(van Wyk, van Oudshoorn & Gericke, 2005:244). The bark is pulverized and
the patient takes 10mm of bark in cold water to alleviate nausea (Scott,
Lewis& Cunningham, 1996:238). Diarrhea in cattle caused by heartwater and
rikkettsial parasites is effectively treated with Strychnos henningsii (PROTA, 2009).
In addition, the bark is commonly used in the treatment of dysmenorrhea.
A decoction of the root is used for chest pain as well internal injuries Strychnos henningsii is also said to
have antiseptic properties and so the bark is ground and applied to wounds and
mouth ulcers in cattle and horses to assist with healing (PROTA.2009). In S.
Africa snakebites are also treated with bark and unripe fruit of the tree,
whereas the fresh roots are chewed on, in Kenya and Tanzania. It is also useful
in malaria where a decoction is prepared from leaves and roots and served with
honey.
Rheumatism is another complaint that is commonly treated with Strychnoshenningsii and this is done
in a number of ways using various preparations, which include ingesting a drink
made from the leaves and bark; boiling the roots and making a soup. Backache is
often treated with boiled bark. In S. Africa, a decoctation is prepared from
boiled bark together with the roots of Turraea
floribunda (Scott, Lewis& Cunningham, 1996:238).
The medicinal properties of Strychnos
henningsii are believed to be due to the strychnine-type alkaloids that
it contains. Strychnine is highly poisonous and has a marked effect on the
central nervous system causing paralysis, these properties allow for it used as
a poison on arrow heads, for rodents, as well for its muscle relaxing effects
in anaesthesiology (van Wyk, van Oudshoorn & Gericke, 2005:244).
Furthermore, these strychnine related alkaloids are thought to have
anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic and anti-cancer potential as well as showing
mild to moderate activity against malaria (PROTA, 2009). Thus, due to its
extensive and diverse traditional uses the researcher believes that Strychnos henningsii 30 CH could
provide a significant contribution to the homoeopathic treatment of a variety
of conditions.
Furthermore, the relationship of the traditional use to the strictly
homoeopathic use as evidenced through the proving would be of particular
interest, in terms of informing our understanding of the relationship between
traditional medicinal systems, and providing insight into the sustainability of
S. African plant resources.
Methodology
The homoeopathic drug proving of Strychnos
henningsii 30 CH took the form of a mixed-method triple-blind,
placebo-controlled study. Thirty-two provers were selected after meeting the
inclusion criteria (Appendix A) and
50% of the subjects (16 of the 32) received placebo in a random manner. The 32
provers were randomly divided into four equal groups of eight provers, with
each group supervised by one of four M.Tech.Hom student researchers (Durban University
of Technology, Durban).
Repertory:
Mind: Absentminded
Abstraction of mind
Activity; desires activity
Ailments from - (suppressed) anger (with indignation)/from bad
news/cares, worries/disappointment/scientific failure/fright/from mental
shock/from losing money
Alert
Anger at trifles
Anxiety [night/about business/of conscience/with fear/about (own)
health/hypochondriacal]/Fear (being alone/dark/of
death/of evil/to go to sleep/sudden/terror)
Ardent
Awkward (drops things)
Busy
Carefulness
Cares; full of
Censorious
Cheerful (# sadness)
Clarity of mind
Company - aversion to/desire for - > in
company
Concentration; active/difficult (with headache/studying)
Confident
Confusion of mind/”As if in a dream”
Conscientious about trifles
Content
Delusions [a heavy black cloud/is dead/devil (sees/is
present)/enlarged/hearing (footsteps)/is forsaken/is in the presence of
God/head belongs to another/images, phantoms (at night/frightful)/intoxicated/were
looking down/someone is behind him/is sick/things appear small]
Despair
Detached
Discontented (with everything)
Dream; as if in a
Dullness
Egotism
Ennui
Estranged from own family
Excitement/exhilaration/high spirited/elated
Fastidious
Flattering
Forgetful
Forsaken feeling (“As if isolated”)
Generous; too
Giggling
Haughty
Heedless
Home; desires to go
Homesickness
Hypochondriasis
Ideas; abundant
Impatience
Inactivity
Indifference (to everything)
Industrious
Injustice; cannot support
Intolerance
Irritability [morning (on waking)/during
headache/during menses/from trifles)
Lamenting
Lascivious
Laughing (immoderately)
Laziness
Light; desire for
Loquacity
Memory - active/weak for what he was about to do
Mental exertion - </impossible/aversion to
Mildness
Mirth
Mood - agreeable/changeable
Morose
Occupation >
Passionate
Pleasing; desire to please others
Positiveness
Praying
Prostration
Quarrelsome
Quiet disposition
Religious affections; too occupied with religion
Religious; want of religious feeling
Reproaches others
Restlessness (tossing about in bed)
Sadness
Senses - acute/dull
Sensitive (to noise/to odors)
Sentimental
Shrieking
Starting (during sleep)
Stupefaction/stupor
Suspicious
Sympathetic
Taciturn
Thinking of his complaints <
Thoughts - sexual/vanishing
Tranquility
Trifles seem important
Unobserving
Vivacious
Weary of life
Weeping (after anger/cannot weep, though sad/easily/with sobbing/from
vexation)
Vertigo: Afternoon/evening
+ pain in head
> closing eyes
Tendency to faal to right
“As if floating”/”As if intoxicated”
> quickly on motion of head
Rising - from bed/from a seat
Standing
Head: Congestion
Dandruff
Fullness
Hair - dry/greasy
Heaviness (from headache)
Itching of scalp (not > after
scratching/on occiput/vertex)
Looseness of brain; sensation of (morning on waking)
Motions in head
Pain [one side/l./r./daytime/morning (on waking)/afternoon (15 h.)/night
(after midnight)/+ nausea/+ pain in neck/catarrhal/on closing eyes/with
coryza/before eating/on exertion of the eyes/gastric/> light/< motion (of
eyes)/> external pressure/rising from lying/> rubbing/> sitting/pain
in small spot/violent/while walking open in the air/from exposure to wind/ext.
cervical region/in forehead (above eyes alternating sides/above l. eye/ext. to
eyes/
pulsating behind eyes/occiput (< motion/pulsating/ext. ears)/temples
(r./l./pulsating/< noise/ext. eye/ext. neck/ext. jaw/and occiput/in
vertex/aching/boring in sides/dull pain (in forehead)/pressing
(“As from a band”/like a cap/inward/in forehead/pulsating/sore in
temples)]
“As if a cap on skull”
Eye: Discharges
Red/yellow
Dryness
“As if enlarged”
Heaviness in lids
Itching (>
rubbing)
Lacrymation (after rubbing)
Opening the eyelid: difficult
Pain [l./in lids/> closing eyes/from exertion of
eyes/pulsating/reading/burning (l. ext. r./burning in outer canthi/”As from
sand”/sore (on motion of eyes)/stinging in upper lids/stitching during
headache]
Photophobia
Pupils contracted
Staring (with pain in forehead)
Styes (lower lids)
Tired sensation
Twitching (l.)
Vision: Blurred/dim
Ear: Abscess in meatus
Itching - in lobes/in meatus
Pain (on touch/sore)
Swelling in meatus
Wax yellow
Hearing: Impaired
Nose: Constant inclination to blow the nose
Catarrh (postnasal)
Coryza (morning/night/> open air/with discharge/without discharge/> walking)
Discharge - burning/copious/excoriating/thick/viscid,
tough/watery/yellow)
Hayfever
Itching (inside)
Obstruction (r./night)/”As if obstructed”
Pain
Sneezing (morning/frequent)
Tingling inside
Smell: acute
Odors imaginary and real (like wet dog)
Face: Congestion
Cracked lower lip
Dryness
Eruptions [acne (with indurated papules/on
forehead/rosacea)/itching/pimples/rash/vesicles on lips (fever blisters/zygoma)
Greasy
Itching
Pain - r./burning/pressing/pulsating/sore in lower jaw
Tingling (in lips)
Mouth: Dryness at night
Pain sore in gums
Taste bad (in morning)
Taste - nauseous/offensive/sour
Teeth: desire to bite on something hard which relieves pains
Pain - pressing outward/sore
Throat: Catarrh
Discoloration; red
Dryness (morning)
Hawk; disposition to
Inflammation
Itching
“As if a lump” (on swallowing)
Mucus
Pain (morning/night/swallowing/rawness/sore)
Roughness
“As if sand in throat”
Stomach: Appetite - capricious appetite/diminished/increased (evening)/with
wanting of thirst
Eructations (foul/putrid)
“As if full” (after eating)
Heaviness after eating
Hiccough
Nausea (morning/afternoon 16 h./evening/after eating fats/during pain in
abdomen)
Retching (ineffectual)
Thirst (extreme/for large quantities/unquenchable)
Vomiting (morning/of bile)
Abdomen: in general
Distension [morning (on waking)]
Distension - after dinner/after eating/hypochondria (l.)
Flatulence (evening/night/after eating/obstructed)
Heaviness (hypogastrium)
Liver and region of liver; complaints of
Pain [morning/after eating/during menses/> after
stool/after/sugar/hypochondria/in inguinal region (l.)/(region of)
umbilicus/cramping (after eating/in hypogastrium)/in umbilicus (drawing/stitching)]
Rectum: Constipation (difficult stool/stool insufficient)
Diarrhea (morning/after eating)
Flatus (involuntary/offensive)
Pain - at stool (before/during)/pressing/scraping
Urging - frequent/sudden
Stool: Black/dark/thin
Bladder: Sensation of fullness (without desire to urinate)
Pain in neck after urination
Urging to urinate - frequent/sudden
Urination - frequent/involuntary
Urethra: Pain - burning (during urination)/pressing
Female organs: Conscious of the uterus
Leukorrhea
Menses - clotted/copious/too late (two
days)/offensive/painful/protracted
Pain - in uterus (during menses/> pressure)/bearing down in uterus
“As if everything would come out”/cramping in uterus during menses/labor-like
(during menses)/twisting
Sexual desire - increased (noon/at night/< cold)
Respiration: Asthmatic (morning/evening)
Difficult (morning/evening/+ cough/after exertion/inspiration/laughing)
Impeded, obstruction (from oppression on chest)
Wheezing
Evening in bed
Dry (from tickling in larynx)
From irritation - in air passages/in larynx/in trachea
Expectoration: Morning (after waking)
Mucous/thick/white
Chest: Anxiety internal
Catarrh
Constriction (morning)
Eruptions (itching/rash/in axilla)
Itching (in sternum)
Oppression (morning/on inspiration)
Pain [morning/sneezing/in nipples/sides (r./morning)/sore in
mammae/stitching (in r. nipple)]
Palpitation of heart [with anxiety/(slightest) motion]
Swollen mammae (during menses)
Back: Eruptions - pustules/rash
Itching
Pain [during menses/> pressure/walking/in cervical region/lumbar
region (l.)/in spine (burning)/aching/drawing/sore (lumbar region/spine)/
stitching in lumbar region]
Spasmodic drawing in cervical region
Stiffness [cervical region (during headache)/lumbosacral region]
Extremities: Coldness (hands/foot)
Contraction of muscles and tendons (lower limbs)
Convulsion (upper limb)
Cramps - menses/upper limbs/shoulder/forearm
Discoloration - redness hand/foot
Dry hands
Eruptions - itching/urticaria/upper limbs, rash/thigh (pimples)/knee rash
Heaviness (lower limbs/foot)
Itching - upper limbs/upper
arm/lower limbs
Itching - leg (over tibia)
Brittle finger nails
Numb hand (r./on waking)
Pain [motion/rheumatic/< touch/> warm applications/joints
(rheumatic)/upper limbs (l./morning/bending arm/on motion/joints/(r./l.)
shoulder (ext. neck)/in upper arm - deltoid region/
bend of elbow/wrist (on motion)/thigh/Knee (bending/> ext.
limb)/aching in thigh/shooting (upper limbs)/shooting r. shoulder/sore
(morning/upper limbs/upper arm/forearm/wrists/thigh
(after walking/posterior part)/stitching (shoulder during motion)]
Perspiration palm
Pulsation in hand
Restless
Stiff (after exertion/on beginning to move/after
resting/shoulder/wrist/lower limbs/knee)
Trembling hand
Weakness in knee
Sleep: Disturbed (from anxiety)
Falling asleep - difficult/late
Interrupted
Restless (after midnight/from bodily restlessness)
Sleepiness (morning/forenoon/during heat/with weariness)
Sleeplessness [night (before midnight/midnight
until morning/after midnight - 3h - 4h.)/+ sleepiness in daytime/from
anxiety/from restlessness/from activity of thoughts/after waking/in
spite of weariness]
Unrefreshing
Waking - after midnight (3 h.)/difficult/by dreams/too early (and
falling asleep late)/frequent/as from fright/from
and with heat/with palpitations
Yawning
Dreams: (<(<(< viele >)>)>)
Chill: in general
Fever: heat in general
Skin: Burning
Coldness
Dry (unable to perspire)
Eruption - itching/rash/stinging/urticaria
Formication
Itching (> scratching)
Prickling
Sensitiveness
Generals: r./l. then r./morning (on
waking)/afternoon (16 h./17 h.)/night (after midnight)
> Activity
Air; open air, desire it
Bathing; > warm bathing
< Bending affected part
Cold >/<
Energy; excess of
Exertion physical <
Faintness (in a crowded room)
Food and drinks: Desires: Chocolate/cold drink, cold water/fat/fish
fruit juice/juicy things/meat/spices/sugar/sweets; <: Onions/rich
food/sweet; Aversion to: food + hunger;
Heat - flushes of/sensation of (at night)
Heaviness externally
Influenza
Irritability, physical: excessive
Knotted sensation internally
Lassitude (afternoon)
Motion - </desires it
Mucous secretions increased
Numbness internally
Pain - in small spots/muscles/sore (externally)/twisting
Pressure <
Pulse frequent (< motion)
Rubbing >
Sick feeling; vague
< loss of sleep
Sleep > short sleep
Sluggishness of the body
Strength, sensation of
Touch <
Trembling externally (from anger)/internally
Twitching
Uncovering >
Walking <
Warm >
Weakness [morning (on waking)/evening/after stool]
Weariness [morning (on waking)/afternoon (16 h.)/evening]
The Symptoms
Mind
A wide variety of mind symptoms were produced during the course of the
proving. These symptoms were placed into themes, in order to gain a better
understanding of the entire remedy picture.
Heightened senses
A majority of provers experienced symptoms of heightened sensitivity.
These symptoms included and increased sensitivity to noise as well as feeling
more alert and full of energy and lively. These heightened senses gave rise to
a general feeling of well being and happiness. However, in certain instances
there were feelings of annoyance, as depicted by Prover 14 in describing her
annoyance
at not being able to wash off the smell of food from her hands after
cooking or eating.
Good mood and happiness
There was a general sense of happiness as well as an upliftment in mood. Prover 23 described the happiness as being in ‘such a
good mood’ and being “happy for no reason’. These symptoms even came through in
situations that would usually upset the patient, as expressed by Prover 04 in
describing her mood even after having an argument with her fiancé as well as by
Prover 02, who described her mood as feeling ‘lighter and happier than last
week’ even though she was frustrated with research. Most provers experienced
feelings of happiness that was unusual to them, in certain instances even
surprising the provers and the people around them. Prover 23 described it in
the following manner: “I’m too nice. I
even scare myself; made my sister breakfast in bed “. These feelings of
good mood and happiness continued throughout the proving.
Confidence
Provers experienced an increase in self confidence. There was a general
feeling of being ‘on top of the world’ and being able to tackle anything that
came their way. Most of the provers had more confidence in their abilities and
had more confidence in expressing themselves. One prover was able to go up onto
a stage due to the increased confidence, whilst another felt as if she knew
everything and wanted to talk and be listened too. There was sense of
accomplishment and wanting to be acknowledged for tasks performed. Prover 11
experienced her confidence in terms feeling “bigger’ than the patient, as if
she was higher and the patient were a little and ‘down there’, this made it
difficult for her to connect to her patient.
Increased Energy and Concentration
Many symptoms relating to this theme were recorded. Provers felt quite
energetic, hyperactive and industrious. One prover felt energetic to the point
were she felt the need to talk all the time and was quite talkative during the
day, describing peoples personalities. Another prover felt very weird around 18
h. and got ‘light-headed’, although she was full of energy. There was an
increase in the ability to concentrate and focus on tasks.
Relaxation
A few of the provers experienced symptoms of relaxation. A general sense
of calmness and relaxation was felt. Provers felt happier and more content than
usual and more sociable and energetic. Prover 30 expressed this theme As
feeling ‘cool, calm and connected’.
Spirituality and Connection
Many symptoms were recorded relating to this theme. Many provers felt a
connection with a higher power and felt spiritually ‘uplifted’. Prover 04 felt
more connected to her fiancé and ‘spiritually refreshed and re-rooted’.
One prover felt the presence of God, from which she derived a sense of
comfort, whilst another expressed a similar symptom, feeling ‘light- hearted’
and ‘closer’ to God after attending a spiritual service. However, prover 02
felt generally disconnected from her emotions and from God and even had much
less faith that God would look after her. There was a feeling of being
disconnected from certain people, expressed by a prover as feeling ‘detached’
and ‘removed’ from things that were happening around her. Another prover, felt
so distant that she didn’t miss her boyfriend, which was not normal for her and
found herself making excuses not to see him. Feelings of disconnection were
experienced as feeling isolated and lonely with a desire for company.
Anxiety and Paranoia
Symptoms relating to anxiety and paranoia were quite prominent, with a
number of provers recording symptoms relating to these themes. Some provers felt
very anxious and scared of falling asleep and sleeping with the lights switched
on. Prover 6 , heard a mans footsteps in her room and became quite afraid as
she thought someone was standing behind her and breathing heavily next to her
bed, but there was no one there. This made her feel terrified and confused and
she tried falling asleep again but felt a man whisper ‘hello’ into her ear. A
prover also kept ‘seeing’ things through the corner of her eye and was afraid
of falling asleep. A few provers became very paranoid
about their relationships with their partners. One prover had an
emotional breakdown, feeling like she had too much on her shoulders and felt
trapped and alone. There was a lot of anxiety and worry, ameliorated by doing
work. Anxiety in certain cases + restlessness to do something.
Irritability and Indignation
Many provers experienced irritability. There was a lot of irritability
directed and little things and provers became short - tempered. A few provers
even got into disagreements. One prover argued with her grandmother because her
Grandmother and another had an argument with her fiancé. There was general
irritability and indignation relating to issue the provers felt strongly about.
Some were very annoyed and irritated at not having their own way and others
became irritated at having to record symptoms on a daily basis. The
irritability was generally prominent in the morning.
Apathy and Tiredness
Many provers recorded feeling ‘dreamy’ and absentminded. Tiredness and
difficulty concentrating was common. Many provers felt apathetic and generally
de - motivated and had decreased energy. A feeling of laziness and inability to
focus was common.
Hypochondriasis
Many provers were convinced that they were on placebo. Provers also felt
an anxiety about their health, feeling as if they were really sick and getting
the flu. Prover 15 experienced this symptom to the extent of thinking she had
swine flu but did not get tested for the illness.
Crying
Some provers had the desire to cry but did not actually cry. There was a
general increase in irritability and sensitivity to people and situations. This
was expressed by a prover who became very irritable and angry with a classmate
and viewing this person as inconsiderate and selfish and she had the desire to
cry but did not.
Vertigo
A few provers recorded symptoms relating to vertigo and dizziness.
Dizziness was accompanied by feeling confused and disorientated. Closing the
eyes and shaking the head, ameliorated the sensation of vertigo. A few provers
experienced a sensation as if they were moving around or the things around them
were tilting. However, movement was not perceived visually but was more of a
sensation that was felt. One prover kept having a sensation of falling to the
right side during an episode of vertigo. There was vertigo on rising from bed
and rising from a seated position. Prover 11 had ‘floating’ sensation as if
losing balance when she got out of an elevator.
Head
There were a wide variety of symptoms relating to the head recorded. As
a result these are categorized to differentiate them.
Temporal headaches
Temporal headaches were common. One prover had a temporal headache
extending from the right temple to the right jaw. Right temporal headaches were
common but one prover experienced a left temporal headache. Pain was described
as being either, aching, dull, sharp and at times throbbing. These headaches
tended to involve the right temple, right eye, right occiput and the neck.
Frontal headaches
Many provers experienced frontal headaches. The pain ranged in
intensity. Some patients noted that the pain was like a ‘sinus’ headache. The
forehead of one patient felt ‘compacted’, whilst another had a throbbing pain
< for walking and relieved by sitting. A few of the provers had pain in the
forehead and over the eyes.
Headache like a skullcap. A few provers had
symptoms under this section. One prover had a dull, foggy sensation which she
described as feeling like a ‘cap’; there was a lack of concentration associated
with this. Another prover also had a dull headache and felt as if there was a
‘skullcap’ around her brain.
Parietal and occipital headache
Prover 11 recorded having a headache on the right side of the head. She
later had a headache which gradually worsened throughout the day and was on the
left side. The pain was described as being a dull supraorbital pain and at
times there was a sensation of an ‘iron band’ from the occipit to the back of
the ears, < left ear. Another prover had a boring-type pain in the side of
the head, accompanied by a feeling of congestion and < pressure.
Prover 6 had a ‘throbbing/pulsating’ pain, in the supraorbital region,
which was different from her usual headache symptoms.
General headaches
Symptoms recorded in this section included headaches in the morning as well
as on waking. Moodiness and tiredness accompanied these headaches. One prover
described the pain as being ‘slight’ and aggravated by movement.
A few provers had headaches during the day and some in the afternoon and
at night.
Many provers had sensations of heaviness whereas; Prover 20, described
the heaviness as being like ‘congestion’ of the head.
Scalp and hair
A few provers experienced itchiness and dryness of the scalp. The
occiput and vertex of the head in particular. Dryness of the hair and itchiness
not > scratching.
Eye
A number of provers recorded eye symptomatology. Dry and itchy eyes,
were common. At times this accompanied by burning and one prover had a dry
cough. A few provers had red, sore eyes < by reading, watching television
and general strain but > closing them and rest. Twitching of the left eyelid
was common and sometimes + lachrymation. Many provers also experienced burning
sensation of the eyes and eyelids, + a
sticky discharge. A sensation of enlargement of the eyeballs was also recorded
and one prover had a yellow discoloration of the eye. A few provers developed
styes.
Vision
There were not many symptoms pertaining to this chapter. However,
blurred and ‘dotty’ vision was experienced by two provers.
Ear
Itchiness of the eardrum was common. A few provers’ recorded having pain
and sensitivity of the ears. Post-nasal drip and sore throat accompanied these
symptoms. One prover developed and abscess with swelling and redness of the ear
canal. Symptoms involving the left ear were common.
Hearing
Only one prover recorded a difficulty in hearing.
Nose
There were a large number of symptoms recorded in this section. Many
provers experienced itchy and tingly sensations in the nostrils. There were a
lot of sneezing and ‘hayfever’ type symptoms. Acrid burning of the nose was
Also recorded. There was an profuse nasal discharge and constant runny nose,
whilst some provers had a blocked nose with an urge to blow out the nose. The
discharge from the nose was thick and tenacious and difficult to expel. Some
provers coughed up a large amount of phlegm.
Face
Pain in the right jaw was recorded. A number of patients had fever sores
and blisters on the lips. Acne vulgaris and rosacea were common symptoms. A
dry, itching, burning sensation on the skin of the face and a feeling of
pressure on the face was also noted.
Mouth
Many provers experienced mouth symptoms. A prominent symptom was an
unpleasant taste in the mouth. This was described as being a ‘bad taste’ and
was aggravated by breathing out through the nose. The bad taste was generally
experienced throughout the day but Prover 15 only experienced it until brushing
her teeth or washing her mouth. Prover 02, described the taste as being nausea
provoking and like ‘bad bile’, later on in the proving, she described it as
being like old cheese or milk. Dryness of the mouth is another symptom that
occurred, particularly at night. A dull gnawing pain at 21 h. was experienced
by Prover 20. Mouth sores occurred in Prover 11, which she described as feeling
like ‘small cuts’ in the lower lip.
Teeth
Pain was experienced in the teeth and jaw, accompanied by a sensation as
if the teeth were being pushed out (Prover 09).
Throat
Throat symptomatology was significant. Throat complaints consisted of
dryness and itchiness of the throat which provoked coughing. Some provers
experienced scratchy sensations as if there was sand in the throat. Redness and
swelling of the throat was noted. Pain and discomfort in the throat was
accompanied by difficulty in swallowing. Sensations as if there was a lump in
the throat were common. Increased phlegm and mucus in the throat was recorded.
Stomach
There was a variety of stomach -related symptoms produced. Eructations
unpleasant tasting and smelling were recorded. A few provers had hiccoughs.
Nausea was a very common sensation with most of the provers experiencing this
along with retching. A large number of provers had a bad taste in the mouth
which was constant. Thirst was increased and it was especially for water with
ice and juice. Some provers experienced decreased appetite which gradually
improved throughout the course of the proving.
Abdomen
Flatulence was quite common and worse at night. Many provers experienced
bloating with difficulty passing flatus. One patient had a ‘heavy’ sensation in
the region of the umbilicus, whilst another felt pain as if there were needles
in the belly button and “As if the umbilicus was being pulled”. Abdominal pain
which was cramping in nature and < after eating (sweet food). Pain was
sometimes + nausea and > passing stool.
Rectum
Many provers suffered with constipation, without bloating. One prover,
had intense pain before and after defaecation, with a sensation as if there was
a ‘plug’, which was being scraped out. Another prover had experienced a ‘stuck
sensation’ while passing stool and an ‘incomplete feeling’ after passing stool,
which was unusual to the prover who usually passes stool easily. Prover 14 had
an increase in the frequency of bowel movements but it was painless and well
formed.
Stool
Symptoms pertaining to this chapter were scarce. However, Prover 14
experienced stool which appeared to be black in colour.
Bladder
There appeared to be an increase in urgency and frequency of urination.
Prover 01 experienced a sensation of fullness in bladder but with decreased
urination and symptoms subsided after drinking a large amount of water.
Frequency was to the extent of incontinence, with slight pain during urination
and dull pain felt in the groin after emptying the bladder.
Urethra
This chapter had very few symptoms. Prover 01, experienced a warm,
burning, pressing sensation in the urethra. Burning during urination was
experienced by Prover 14.
Female organs
Symptoms recorded, included and increase in sex drive and menstrual
disturbances. Menstrual flow became heavier and a number of provers had clots,
usually foul smelling, with the flow. Menstrual pain was described as ‘pulling’
and ‘twisting’ of the uterus, whist another prover had slight cramps in the lower
abdomen and back.
One prover became conscious of her uterus.
Prover 11 had violent pain which felt like her uterus was being twisted
and pulled down and felt as if the uterus was being pulled out. Another prover
had period pains that were relieved by pressure, whilst one prover, recorded a
discharge that she described as being a ‘weird colour’.
Respiration
There is significant number of respiratory symptoms. Most provers
experienced a tightness of the chest, particularly in the morning and on
waking. Prover 09, felt that her ‘respiratory area was restricting’ on laughing
and taking a deep breath. Asthmatic respiration and a general difficulty in
breathing were quite prominent. Shortness of breath on waking and after minimal
bursts of activity was noted. In certain instances, there was a heaviness of
the chest and increase in mucus production accompanying the shortness of
breath.
Cough
Most provers experienced a dry cough. Prover 09 described the dry cough
as being ‘very irritating’, and Prover 20, felt a tightness of the chest with
the dry cough. In addition, Prover 20 experienced a tickling sensation in the
Throat which subsided after a shower but with a continuation of the cough which
progressed throughout the day with a sensation of heaviness. The coughing had a
tendency to worsen at night.
Expectoration
Mucus production was increased generally. Provers also coughed up
phlegm. Prover 25 described the phlegm as being ‘thick and white’.
Chest
Many provers experienced chest symptomatology. Chest pain was quite
common and aggravated by sneezing. Prover 14, experienced anxiety which she
described as feeling like a ‘weight’ on her chest. A number of provers Also had
pain in the region of the ribs especially on the right side. Prover 9 felt as
if the ribs were ‘overlapping’, whereas Prover 11 experienced a stabbing pain
in the region of the 5th rib, lasting ten minutes. Breast symptomatology was
experienced with enlargement of breasts during menses. Breast pain was described
as being sore and prover 11F had a sharp poking pain in the right nipple. There
was itchiness on the chest and along the sternum. A minor skin eruption, which
was red and itchy, was noted by prover 25.
Back
Lower back pain was experienced and which was described as ‘sore’ and in
one case ‘pinching’ pain. Back pain was also common in the lower left region of
the back and was described as either aching or a stabbing pain with a short
duration and ameliorated by pressure. One prover felt a stinging and burning
sensation along the spinal cord. The skin of the back was dry, itchy and >
scratching and skin eruptions in the form of pimples occurred.
Soreness of the neck and stiffness of the neck, shoulders and back were
recorded.
Extremities
This section consisted of a large number of symptoms. Provers generally
felt pain and stiffness in the shoulder, neck and back. There was stiffness of
the extremities. Muscle - spasms and tremors of the hands and legs were common.
Provers also complained of aching and stiff muscles. Joint - pain in all the
joints was quite prominent and aggravated by motion. Coldness and numbness of
the extremities was also evident. Dryness of the skin, hands
and elbows was also recorded. One prover had sore, red hands that were
< touch/water and another had red feet. Itching of the skin was common with
a ‘mosquito - bite’ type eruption with itchy red bumps on the arms, knees and
legs.
Sleep
There were a number of symptoms relating to sleep disturbances. Most
patients experienced a disruption in sleep pattern such as sleep breaking
during the early hours of the morning, usually between 1- 4 h. and not being
able to go back to sleep. Provers commonly felt fearful, anxious and some were
short of breath after their sleep broke. Restlessness, anxiety and muscle
aches, + difficulty in sleeping. One prover felt a great stiffness of the
muscles and body and felt like getting up and going for a run to alleviate the
tense feeling. A general lack of sleep was noted and most patients felt tired
and unrefreshed due to this. Feelings of uneasiness and difficulty in falling
of to sleep were also experienced.
Dreams
There many dreams which were categorized into a variety of themes:
Spirituality and praying; Sympathy and Connection
Nostalgia and Family
Water
Secrets
Criticism
Anxiety and Panic
Teeth
Forsaken
Mundane dreams
Chill
There was a general sensation of coldness as expressed by provers’ 09
and 15.
Perspiration
This was not a significant theme throughout the proving. However
decreased sweating was noted by prover 25.
Skin
Skin symptomatology appears to have been common. Generally there was
tendency to eruptions and sensitivity of the skin. The skin had a tingling
sensation, as if something were ‘crawling’ under the skin (Prover 18). At times
skin was dry, cold and itchy (Prover 01), whereas, some provers experienced
oiliness especially in the ‘T-zone’ and hair (Prover 14). Skin eruptions in the
form of rashes which were red, raised and stinging and itchy, with a short
duration were also common. Prover 04 experienced a rash, which appeared as a
swelling with a red border and pale centre, on the back, between the breast and
chest as well as behind the arm. Pimples were common on the face as well as the
right inner thigh.
Generals
A wide variety of general symptoms were elicited and categorized into
themes. This was performed to make for simpler analysis of symptoms.
Cravings
In general, there was a craving for junk food and sweet sugary foods,
especially chocolate and chocolate cake. A craving for juice was also quite
marked. Prover 01, who was a vegetarian, experienced cravings for meat and fish.
Sensation of Heat
A number of provers experienced a sensation of extreme heat. Heat was mainly
felt inside of the body, despite external temperature being cold.
Increased energy
There was a general sense of increased energy and hyperactivity, more
than usual. This increased energy was accompanied by restlessness. Prover 02
described the restless sensation as being an ‘aching muscles full of energy’
despite feeling tired. Restlessness was also described as an ‘internal
restlessness’ which requires to be released.
Prostration
Great prostration was experienced in the morning on waking, with great
difficulty getting out of bed due to the tiredness. Tiredness and sleepiness
was experienced throughout the day, and accompanied by yawning. Many provers
also experienced extreme fatigue and felt completely drained towards the
afternoon and evening. The tiredness was accompanied by moodiness and
irritability. In general, the tiredness was experienced as a ‘sick’ feeling,
with great exhaustion and decreased energy levels.
Influenza
Some provers experienced the onset of influenza - type symptoms. Most
commonly were painful muscles and stiff body. Prover 25 had a dry cough, itchy
eyes and runny nose.
Miscellaneous
These included a feeling as if all senses have changed, along with
numbness during intercourse and right sided symptomatology. Coldness of the
hands, feet and skin as well a preference for cold weather were noted.
Traditionally, Strychnos
henningsii has been utilized in many ways, ranging from medicinal to
industrial usage. Strychnos henningsii
belongs to the Strychnos species
of plants. The predominant alkaloid of Strychnine species is the poison
strychnine which has cardiac depressive effects. Strychnos henningsii, in
addition, contains a number of strychnine - related alkaloids: henningsiine,
diaboline, and retuline amongst others, which are thought to be responsible for
its therapeutic effects (van Wyk, van Oudshoorn & Gericke, 2005:244).
In S. African traditional medicine, the fruit, bark and roots have been
used to treat snakebites. Despite being toxic, preparations of strychnine are
used throughout Africa for a range of medicinal effects (van Wyk, van Oudshoorn
& Gericke, 2005:244). Due to its action on the central nervous system the
alkaloids in Strychnos henningsii and
the Strychnos species generally
produce cardiac depressive, hypotensive and convulsive effects.
Studies performed have demonstrated that the alkaloids derived from Strychnos henningsii are potentially
beneficial as anti - cancer treatment as well as for anti - inflammatory and
analgesic effects (PROTA, 2009).
Traditionally, the substance Strychnos
henningsii is utilized in various ways.
These include chewing on the bark of the tree, ingesting pulverized bark
and also decoctations of the root, stem or the bark. In some African cultures,
it is used in cooking, where it is added to fatty soups and stews to aid in
digestion and for general wellbeing and the fruit of the tree is used to
flavour beer (Fastonline, 1999). Strychnos henningsii is also widely used as an
antihelminthic.
In S. Africa, a decoctation of the bark is used to treat worm
infestation and in Tanzania, the roots are pounded and used to treat
hookworm (PROTA, 2009). The bitter
tasting bark is used widely
as a purgative and tonic as well as for colic and various stomach
complaints.
In addition, the bark is also used to treat dysmenorrhea, syphilis,
bilharzia, nausea and pains associated
with rheumatic fever (Scott, Lewis& Cunningham, 1996:238).
In overview, the broad areas of documented use of Strychnos henningsii are:
As a liver tonic
Nausea
Stomach - ache
Diarrhea
Dysmenorrhea
Rheumatic Complaints
Snakebite
Malaria
Cardiac Complaints
Dizziness
Comparison of the Homoeopathic Proving
Symptomatology of Strychnos henningsii
30CH to the Traditional uses of Strychnos
henningsii
Gastro - intestinal Complaints
Liver Tonic
In traditional medicine, Strychnos
henningsii is often used as a bitter liver tonic. The Strychnos henningsii plant is usually
added to fatty and milky soups and stews to aid in digestion, due to its tonic
effect on the liver.
Throughout the proving of Strychnos
henningsii 30CH, provers experienced the following symptoms:
Fullness, sensation of (after eating)
Heaviness after eating
Complaints of abdomen:
Distension [morning (on waking)/after dinner/after eating/in hypochondria
(l.)]
Flatulence (evening/night/after eating/obstructed)
Liver and region of liver; complaints of
Nausea
Traditionally, symptoms such as nausea are alleviated by the bark of the
Strychnos henningsii tree.
The proving of Strychnos
henningsii 30 CH produced the following symptoms suggesting its use in
the treatment of nausea:
Many of the provers did experience nausea and retching, which is
consistent with the traditional use of the crude substance.
Nausea (morning/16 h./evening/after eating
fats/during pain in during: abdomen)
Retching (ineffectual)
Vomiting (morning/bile)
to these symptoms, patients also complained of a bad taste in the mouth
that was like bad bile and nausea provoking. In addition, one prover noticed
yellowing of the sclera, a common symptom
of liver disease.
Although, the existing materia medicas’ have documented the use of Strychnos henningsii as a general
liver tonic and purgative, information with regards to specific liver ailments
was lacking.
Stomach complaints (ache is commonly alleviated by traditional
preparations of the crude substance) Strychnos
henningsii (Van Wyk, van Oudshoorn & Gericke, 2005: 244).
The homoeopathic proving further elucidated these uses.
Stomach: Ache
In the proving, the remedy Strychnos
henningsii 30CH produced the following rubrics:
Eructations (foul/putrid)
Pain [morning/after eating/during menses/> after
stool/after/sugar/hypochondria/in inguinal region (l.)/(region of)
umbilicus/cramping (after eating/in hypogastrium)/in umbilicus (drawing/stitching)]
Furthermore, it has been suggested that the antispasmodic and
anti-inflammatory properties of the strychnine - related alkaloids within Strychnoshenningsii are responsible
for its effectiveness in stomach pain.
Many provers also produced eructations, but this was not specifically
indicated in the traditional use of Strychnos
henningsii. Thus, whilst the proving symptoms produced by Strychnos henningsii 30CH, have
served to further validate the traditional usage of the crude substance Strychnos henningsii in stomachache,
it also provided evidence that the use of the remedy can be extended to include
the treatment of eructations and dyspepsia.
Diarrhea
In traditional African medicine Strychnos
henningsii has been used in the effective treatment of diarrhea in
cattle (PROTA, 2009). The
researcher was unable to find documented use in humans.
In the homoeopathic proving a few patients suffered with constipation
whilst the majority experienced diarrhea. These symptoms indicate that the
homoeopathic remedy Strychnos
henningsii 30CH may be used in cases of diarrhea and constipation. It is
possible that the symptoms relating to diarrhea, constipation, eructations,
fullness are all due to the generally disruptive effects on the liver.
In addition, other complaints pertaining to the gastro-intestinal system
produced in the proving were cracked lips and teeth complaints such as painful
teeth and gums.
Nevertheless, the following symptoms were produced in the proving:
Constipation (difficult stool)
Diarrhoea (morning/after eating)
Flatus (involuntary/offensive)
Pain - pressing/scraping/before stool/during stool
Urging to stool - sudden/frequent
Stool - black/dark/thin
However, traditional records only documented the use of Strychnos henningsii in the treatment
of mouth ulcers in animals (cattle and horses) (PROTA, 2009). From the symptoms
produced in
the homoeopathic proving, the researcher believes that Strychnos henningsii could be
utilized as an effective antiseptic in stomatitis and similar mouth complaints.
From the multitude of gastro - intestinal related symptoms produced in
the proving of Strychnos henningsii
30CH, and their general overlap with the traditional use of Strychnos henningsii, the researcher contends
the core use of the homoeopathic remedy in the treatment of various liver
related diseases, stomach
complaints more specifically dyspepsia, as well as ailments of the mouth
and diarrhea.
Dysmenorrhea
Strychnos henningsii is commonly used in the treatment
of dysmenorrhea. It is possible that the medicinal effect of the substance in
this sphere is due to the anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties of
the strychnine related alkaloids that are present within Strychnos henningsii (van Wyk, van Oudshoorn
& Gericke, 2005: 244).
In the homoeopathic proving of the substance, many provers experienced
disorders related to menstruation, in particular, dysmenorrhea. The following
symptoms were produced in the proving of Strychnos
henningsii 30CH:
Conscious of the uterus
Leukorrhoea
Menses - clotted/copious/too late (2 days)/offensive/painful/protracted
Pain in uterus (during menses/> pressure)/bearing down in uterus, “As
if everything would come out”/cramping in uterus during menses/labor-like
(during menses)/twisting
Sexual desire increased (at noon/at night/< cold)
Swollen mammae (during menses)
The symptoms related to menstruation produced in the homoeopathic
proving are consistent with the traditional usage of the crude substance Strychnoshenningsii in the treatment
of dysmenorrhea. However, the dysmenorrhea produced in the proving, consisted
of mainly, cramping and twisting pain. Thus, despite this overlap between
traditional usage and the proving symptomatology, the homoeopathic proving
symptoms further elucidated on the clinical indications of the remedy Strychnos henningsii within the broad
context of dysmenorrhea. In light of this, the researcher believes that the
remedy Strychnos henningsii 30CH would
be of great value in the treatment of dysmenorrhea and other menstrual
complaints.
Rheumatic Complaints
Traditionally, Strychnos
henningsii has been used by healers in treating backache and rheumatic
complaints. The following symptoms were produced in the homoeopathic proving:
Pain - cervical region/lumbar region/spine (burning)/aching/drawing/in
lumbar region (sore/stitching)/spasmodic drawing
Stiffness (in cervical region/in lumbosacral region)
Contraction (lower limbs)
Cramps - forearm/shoulder
Heaviness (lower limbs/foot)
Numbness; hand (r./on waking)
Pain (at motion/rheumatic/< touch/> warm applications/joints
(rheumatic)/upper limbs (morning/motion/joints upper limbs)/shoulder/bend of
elbow/wrist on motion/
Knee on bending/sore [upper limbs (morning)/shoulder/upper arm/forearm]
Stiffness (after exertion/beginning to move/after
resting/shoulder/wrist/lower limbs/knee)
The effectiveness of the crude substance Strychnos henningsii is most likely due to the many alkaloids it
produces which are very similar in structure and action to those of strychnine.
Certain alkaloids have been shown to have ‘muscle- relaxing’ as well as
analgesic effects (van Wyk, van Oudshoorn & Gericke, 2005: 244).), thus
accounting for the therapeutic effects of Strychnos henningsii in rheumatic
complaints. The overlap between the traditional usage and homoeopathic
indications, support the use of Strychnos
henningsii 30CH in the treatment of rheumatic complaints and backache.
Malaria
Strychnos henningsii is used traditionally in the
prevention and treatment of malaria. Related to this, it has also been used
successfully in the treatment of febrile illness in general. Although studies
were performed using isolated alkaloids showed only moderate action on Plasmodium falciparum malaria (PROTA,
2009).
The following symptoms from the proving would support the use of Strychnos henningsii 30 CH in
malaria:
Congestion/fullness/heaviness (from headache)/violent pains
Pain; hypochondria/cramping in hypogastrium
Diarrhea
Fever, heat in general
Chill
Heat: flushes of/”As if heat” (at night)
Provers produced various symptoms which suggest that the remedy Strychnos henningsii 30CH could be
effectively utilized in the treatment of fevers and malaria.
Cardiac Complaints
Whilst the use of Strychnos
henningsii for cardiac complaints and chest pain, has been documented,
there appears to be a paucity of cardiac symptoms recorded in traditional
materia medica. During the proving, provers did experience chest pain and some
had palpitations, which is in keeping with the traditional use of the
substance. Skin eruptions in the chest region were also common, although these
were not documented in traditional materia medicas’. The following rubrics were
produced during the proving:
Anxiety
Constriction (morning)
Oppression (morning/on inspiration)
Pain [morning/sneezing/sides (r./morning)/stitching]
Palpitation [(slightest) motion/with anxiety]
Although the use of Strychnos
henningsii with regards to chest complaints has not been well
documented, studies have suggested that the substance has potential to aid in
cardiac complaints. This is due to the compounds and the derivatives thereof
contained within the plant. The many cardiac symptoms produced by provers in
the proving of Strychnos henningsii
30CH, indicate that this remedy would be well indicated for palpitations
and cardiac pain.
Dizziness
Strychnos henningsii is often used in cases of dizziness
and vertigo. However, dizziness, associated with hypotension, is also a side
effect of Strychnine poisoning. This effect is due to the action of the
strychnine related alkaloids in the substance Strychnos henningsii on the central nervous system (van Wyk, van
Oudshoorn & Gericke, 2005: 244). It is therefore, likely that the
therapeutic effects of the substance is due to these properties when the substance
is utilized in therapeutic doses.
In the homoeopathic proving of Strychnos
henningsii 30CH the following rubrics were produced:
Vertigo/afternoon/evening
+ pain in head
> closing eyes
tendency to fall to right
“As if floating”/”As if intoxicated”
> quick motion of the head
Rising - from bed/from a seat
Standing
Many provers experienced dizziness and vertigo consistent with existing
indications of the substance in traditional medicine. From the symptoms
produced in the homoeopathic proving of Strychnos
henningsii 30CH, the researcher suggests the use of the remedy in the
treatment of vertigo and dizziness.
Undocumented symptoms produced in the
Homoeopathic Proving of Strychnos
henningsii 30CH In the proving of Strychnos
henningsii 30CH, a wide variety of symptoms were produced, which have
been not documented in existing traditional medicinal uses. These included
headaches, many provers produced headaches, which ranged in character, type of
pain, location and intensity. Mind symptoms were also quite prominent, with
anxiety and delusions as well as restlessness. The increased energy and good
mood could probably be linked to the tonic effects on the liver, allowing
provers to feel less sluggish and more alert and energized.
Some of mental symptoms such as the delusions and dreams may be
explained in terms of the effects of strychnine on the central nervous system.
A number of infective and allergic manifestations were also experienced.
In particular, infections of the eye, ear nose, throat and chest were noted.
The asthmatic respiration produced, is most probably related to the action of
strychnine which is known to cause respiratory depression, thus the researcher
believes that the remedy Strychnos
henningsii 30CH will be useful in the treatment of colds, influenza,
asthma, hayfever, sinusitis as well as eye infections, otitis media and sore
throats. Skin symptoms such as acne and other eruptions were common; these may
be understood in terms of the action of the remedy on the liver.
Strychnine poisoning is known to cause headaches, respiratory
depression, hypotension and cardiac depression. Therefore, it is likely that
the symptoms produced may be due to the action of strychnine - related
compounds.
Summary
Strychnos henningsii has been effectively used in traditional
medicine to treat a variety of ailments. It is most often used as a general
liver tonic and purgative, as well as for rheumatic pain and backache,
snakebites, dysmenorrhea, stomach-ache, malaria and fevers, dizziness and chest
pain. The parts of the plant and the manner in which the substance has been
used varies according to the ailment being treated. This is due to the
different alkaloids contained in different parts of the plant. These alkaloids
and their derivatives, contained in Strychnos
henningsii, are similar in structure
and action to strychnine.
Strychnine causes central nervous system depression resulting in cardiac
and respiratory depression, hypotension, convulsions and paralysis. Thus, the
therapeutic effects of the crude substance may be explained in terms of the
action of these strychnine- like alkaloids within Strychnos henningsii.
The homoeopathic proving of Strychnos
henningsii 30CH produced multifarious symptoms. Many of which were
consistent with the traditional use of the crude substance Strychnos henningsii.
Most noteworthy were the overlaps
within the gastro-intestinal system where many symptoms relating to the liver,
nausea, stomach, mouth and teeth were produced. In addition, Strychnos henningsii has been used as
an antiseptic in treating mouth - related ailments in animals only; however the
symptoms produced in the homoeopathic proving suggest that the proving remedy
Strychnos henningsii 30CH may also be used in
treating ailments of the mouth in humans. Dysmenorrhea has also been
effectively treated with Strychnos
henningsii, and the proving of Strychnos
henningsii 30CH produced many symptoms of dysmenorrhea. Despite the
overlap, the homoeopathic proving further elucidated the actions of the
substance on the female gynaecological system
to include other disorders of menstruation such as pre-menstrual
symptoms.
Traditionally Strychnos
henningsii is used in treating rheumatic pain and backache, and many
provers experienced these symptoms in the homoeopathic proving. Proving
symptomatology also included many symptoms of dizziness, and fever like
symptoms, again overlapping with the traditional usage of Strychnos henningsii in dizziness and
malaria. Chest pain and palpitations were experienced by a number of provers.
Although the use of the Strychnos
henningsii, in the treatment of cardiac pain has been documented, the
proving symptoms provided more information on
the specific clinical indications within this sphere.
Despite the many overlaps between the traditional use of Strychnos henningsii and the
homoeopathic proving symptomatology of Strychnos
henningsii 30CH, many symptoms produced in the proving were not
documented in existing materia medica. These included, headaches, asthmatic respiration,
influenzatype symptoms, and sinusitis, hayfever, eye, ear, nose and throat
infections.
The intensity and nature of these symptoms, suggest that Strychnos henningsii could be of
value in these conditions. In view of the results yielded in this triple blind
placebo controlled study of Strychnos
henningsii 30 CH, it is evident that overlaps do exist between the
traditional use of Strychnos
henningsii and the homoeopathic proving symptomatology of Strychnos henningsii 30 CH.
Strychnine
Strychnnos species typically contain the
poison strychnine, which has been identified as one of the components of the Strychnos henningsii bark. Strychnine
is an indole alkaloid with an extremely toxic effect as well as medicinal
benefits thus making it beneficial and risky for use in humans at the same time
(van Wyk, van Heerden, van Outshoorn, 2002).
The effects of strychnine poisoning have been displayed within 15 to 30
minutes, in humans from poisonings and in animals from experimentation. The
initial response is the patient becoming agitated, experiencing tightness of
the muscles, muscle twitches, followed by hyper-reflexia (Borges, Abrantes,
Teixeira, Parada, 1997). Famous for its convulsant properties, poisoning
results in convulsions accompanied by great pain, in which the patient maybe
conscious. Convulsions may occur continuously with intervals of relaxation.
Hyper reactivity to surroundings is also a well known symptom of strychnine
poisoning. Opisthotonus and facial muscle twitching resulting in ‘risus sardonicus’
have also been reported. If the patient is monitored during the first 6-12
hours, it can avoid complications such as lactic acidosis, rhabdomyolysis,
acute renal failure; and death from asphyxia or medullary paralysis (Borges,
Abrantes, Teixeira, Parada, 1997).
Diaboline
Diaboline is another alkaloid isolated from Strychnos henningsii. It is reported to be a glycine receptor
antagonist much as strychnine is. It has a convulsant nature, initiating seizures
and is therefore not used for this purpose (Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia,
2009). Although its name suggests a ‘diabolical’ structure, it is not true to
its nature, due to its biochemical arrangement which results in the decrease in
the toxicity of diaboline, even when given in high doses (Tits, Frederich,
2004).
Holstiine
Holstiine proved valuable in a study assessing the antiplasmodial
activity and toxicity of plants (Ayuko, Njau, Cornelius, Leah, Ndiege, 2008),
which included Strychnos henningsii in
the experiment. Holstiine was identified as an alkaloid having antiplasmodial
activity, and can therefore may be effectively used as an anti-malarial.
Strychnochromine and Guianensine
Strychnochromine and Guianensine are alkaloids which were isolated from
the root bark of Strychnos henningsii in
a study of demonstrating the antiplasmodial activity of Strychnos alkaloids and
extracts against Plasmodium falciparum
(Frederich, Hayette, Tits, De Mol, Angenot, 1999:2329). No further
information could be obtained about these alkaloids.
Summary
Since provings are an essential component of the Homoeopathic System,
and toxicology has a direct relationship to the spectrum of use of a
homoeopathic substance, it is important to understand
the relationship between toxicological effect and proving effect, and
their respective contributions to materia medica and the clinical application
of new homoeopathic remedies. The researcher endeavours to explore this
relationship in order to increase the understanding of Strychnos henningsii as a homoeopathic remedy.
Repertory:
Mind: Absentminded
Abstraction of mind
Activity; desires activity
Ailments from – anger (suppressed/with indignation)/bad news/cares,
worries/disappointment/scientific failure/fright/mental shock/from losing money
Alert
Anger at trifles
Anxiety [night/about business/of conscience/with fear/about (own)
health/hypochondriacal]/Fear [of being alone/of dark/of death/of evil/to go to
sleep/sudden/terror]
Ardent
Awkward (drops things)
Busy
Carefulness
Cares; full of
Censorious
Cheerful (# sadness)
Clarity of mind
Company; aversion to
Company – desires (> in company)
Concentration; active
Concentration difficult (with headache/studying)
Confident
Confusion of mind (“As if in a dream”)
Conscientious about trifles
Content
Delusions [clouds: a heavy black cloud enveloped her/was dead/sees
devil/devil is present/enlarged/hears footsteps/is forsaken/is in the presence
of God/belongs to another/illusions of hearing/
Frightful images, phantoms/sees frightful images, phantoms at night/is
under a powerful influence/intoxicated/looking down/someone is behind him/is
sick/small things appear small
Despair
Detached
Discontented (with everything)
Dream; as if in a
Dullness
Egotism
Elated
Ennui
Estranged: from his family
Excitement(Exhilaration
Fastidious
Flattering
Forgetful
Forsaken feeling (“As if isolatiert”)
Generous; too
Giggling
Haughty
Heedless
High-spirited
Home; desires to go
Homesickness
Hypochondriasis
Ideas; abundant
Impatience
Inactivity
Indifference (to everything)
Industrious
Injustice; cannot support
Intolerance
Irritability [morning (on waking)/during
headache/during menses/from trifles]
Lamenting
Lascivious
Laughing (immoderately)
Laziness
Light; desire for
Loquacity
Memory; active
Memory; weakness of memory: do; for what he was about to
Mental
exertion - </impossible/aversion to
Mildness
Mirth
Mood – agreeable/changeable
Morose
Occupation >
Passionate
Pleasing; desire to please others
Positiveness
Praying
Prostration
Quarrelsome
Quiet disposition
Religious affections; too occupied with religion
Religious; want of religious feeling
Reproaches; others
Restlessness (tossing about in bed)
Sadness
Senses - acute/dull
Sensitive (to noise/to odors)
Sentimental
Shrieking
Starting (during sleep)
Stupefaction
Stupor
Suspicious
Sympathetic
Taciturn
Thinking; complaints <
Thoughts – sexual/vanishing of
Tranquility
Trifles seem important
Unobserving
Vivacious
Weary of life
Weeping [after anger/cannot weep, though sad/easily/sobbing with weeping/from
vexation]
Vertigo: Afternoon/Evening
+ pain in head
Closing eyes >
Tends to fall to right
“As if floating”/”As if intoxicated”
Motion; head, of: quickly; amel.
Rising - from bed/from a seat
Standing while
Head: Congestion
Dandruff
Fullness
Hair – dryness/greasy
Heaviness (from headache)
Itching of scalp [not > after scratching/on
occiput/vertex]
“As if brain loose” (morning on waking)
Motions in head
Pain VIELE
Skullcap; sensation of a
Eye: Discharges
Red/yellow
Dryness
“As if enlarged”
Lids - heaviness
Itching (> rubbing)
Lachrymation (after rubbing)
Opening the eyelid: difficult
Pain [left/in lids/> closing eyes/from exertion of
eyes/pulsating/reading/burning (l. ext. r./outer canthi)/”As from sand”/sore
(motion of eyes)/stinging in upper lids/stitching during headache]
Photophobia
Pupils; contracted
Staring (pain in forehead)
Styes (lower lids)
Tired sensation
Twitching (l.)
Vision: Blurred/dim
Ear: Abscess in meatus
Itching – lobes/meatus
Pain (on touch/soreness)
Swelling of meatus
Wax yellow
Hearing: Impaired
Nose: Constant inclination to blow the nose
Catarrh (postnasal)
Coryza (morning/night/> open air/with discharge/without discharge/> walking)
Discharge – burning/copious/excoriating/thick/viscid,
tough/watery/yellow
Hayfever
Itching (inside)
Obstruction (right/at night/”As if obstructed”)
Odors; imaginary and real (wet dog)
Pain
Smell, acute
Sneezing (morning/frequent)
Tingling; inside
Face: Congestion
Cracked lower lips
Dryness
Eruptions [acne (with indurated papules)/acne (rosacea/on forehead)/itching/pimples/rash/vesicles
on lips (fever blisters)/zygoma]
Greasy
Itching
Pain – right/burning/pressing/pulsating/sore lower jaw
Tingling (in lips)
Mouth: Dry at night
Pain; sore: gums
Taste – bad (morning)/nauseous/offensive/sour
Teeth: Biting hard > pains; desire to bite on something
Pain - pressing outward/sore
Throat: Catarrh
Discoloration; red
Dryness (morning)
Hawk; disposition to
Inflammation
Itching
Lump; sensation of (on swallowing)
Mucus
Pain (morning/night/on swallowing/rawness/sore)
Roughness
“As if sand in throat”
Stomach: Appetite – capricious/diminished/increased (evening)/wanting with
thirst
Eructations (foul/putrid)
“As if full” (after eating)
Heaviness after eating
Hiccough
Nausea (morning/afternoon - 16h/evening/after eating fats/during pain in
abdomen)
Retching (ineffectual)
Thirst (extreme/for large quantities/unquenchable)
Vomiting (morning/of bile)
Abdomen: in general
Distension [morning (on wking)/after dinner/after eating/in (l.)
hypochondria]
Flatulence (evening/night/after eating/obstructed)
Heaviness (in hypogastrium)
Liver and region of liver; complaints of
Pain [morning/after eating/during menses/> after stool/after sugar/in
hypochondria/(l.) inguinal region/(region of) umbilicus/cramping (after
eating/in hypogastrium/in region of umbilicus/drawing in umbilicus/stitching in region of umbilicus]
Rectum: Constipation
(difficult stool/insufficient)
Diarrhea (morning/after eating)
Flatus - before stool/during stool
Pain – during stool/pressing/scraping
Urging - frequent/sudden
Stool: Black/dark/thin
Bladder: “As if full” (without desire to urinate)
Pain in neck of bladder after urination
Urging to urinate – frequent/sudden
Urination – frequent/involuntary
Urethra: Pain – burning (during urination)/pressing
Female Organs: Conscious of the uterus
Leukorrhea
Menses – clotted/copious/too late (2 days)/offensive/painful/protracted
Pain - in uterus (during menses/> pressure)/bearing down of uterus
(“As if everything would come out”)/cramping in uterus during menses/labor-like
(during menses)/twisting
Sexual desire increased (noon/night/< cold)
Respiration :
Asthmatic (morning/evening)
Difficult (morning/evening/+ cough/after exertion/on
inspiration/laughing)
Impeded, obstructed (from oppression of chest)
Wheezing
Evening in bed
Dry (from tickling in larynx)
Irritation (in air passages/in larynx/in trachea)
Expectoration: Morning (after waking)
Mucous/Thick/White
Chest: Anxiety in
Catarrh
Constriction (morning)
Eruptions (itching/rash/in axillae)
Itching (sternum)
Oppression (morning/on inspiration)
Pain [morning/sneezing/mammae, nipples/sides (r./morning)/sore in
mammae/stitching (in r. nipple)]
Palpitation of heart [with anxiety/(slightest) motion]
Swelling; mammae (during menses)
Back: Eruptions – pustules/rash
Eruptions; rash
Itching
Pain [during menses/> pressure/walking/in cervical region/in (l.)
lumbar region/in spine (burning)/aching/drawing/sore (in lumbar
region/spine)/stitching in lumbar region]
Spasmodic drawing, cervical region
Stiffness [cervical region (during headache)/lumbosacral region]
Limbs: Coldness (hands/foot)
Contraction of muscles and tendons (lower limbs)
Convulsion
(upper limb)
Cramps
– menses/upper
limbs/shoulder/forearm
Discoloration; foot/hand, redness
Dryness; hands
Eruptions – itching/urticaria/upper limbs, rash/thigh (pimples)/knee,
rash
Heaviness (lower limbs/foot)
Itching - upper limbs/upper arm/lower limbs/in (tibia) leg
Nails; brittle nails: finger nails
Numbness (r.) hand (on waking)
Pain [motion/rheumatic/< touch/> warm applications/joints
(rheumatic)/upper limbs (l./morning/bending arm/motion/in joints)/shoulder
(r./l./ext. neck.)/upper arm in deltoid region/bend of elbow/
Wrist (on motion)/thigh/in knee (on bending/> limb)/aching in
thigh/shooting (upper limbs/r. shoulder)/sore (upper limbs
morning/shoulder/upper arm/forearm/wrists/thigh (after walking/
posterior part/stitching (in shoulder during motion)]
Perspiration in palm of hand
Pulsation; hand
Restlessness
Stiffness (after exertion/on beginning to move/after
resting/shoulder/wrist/lower limbs/knee)
Trembling in hand
Weakness of knee
Sleep: Disturbed (from anxiety)
Falling asleep – difficult/late
Interrupted
Restless (after midnight/bodily restlessness)
Sleepy (morning/forenoon/during
heat/with weariness)
Sleepless [night/before midnight until morning/after midnight (3 h./4
h.)/+ sleepy in daytime/from anxiety/from restlessness/from activity of
thoughts/after waking/in spite of weariness]
Unrefreshing
Waking – at night after midnight (3 h.)/difficult/by dreams/too early
(and falling asleep late)/frequent/”As
from fright”/from and with heat/with palpitations
Yawning
Dreams: Accusations/of achievement/Adventurous/Aggressive/crash of an
airplane/Anger/Animals/Anxious/being attacked/Battles/been
betrayed/Birds/Children (being abused/newborns)/
Being choked/Clairvoyant/Conspiracies/Dancing/Danger (escaping from a
danger/impending/of relatives)/being deceived/desert/disease/Dogs/of
dreaming/Driving a car/Escaping (from danger)/
Events (of future/previous)/Falling (from a height)/own family/Fights
(for her rights)/Fish (rescuing)/Fleeing/being forsaken/old friends/Frightful/Gardens/Happy/Hearing
talking/Jaws/
Journeys/Jumping from a height and landing easily/Ludicrous/Man huge and
strong controlling her/Misfortune/making
mistakes/Mortification/Nightmares/Nostalgic/Nuns/Parties/People (not
seen for years)/Pleasant/Praying/Prophetic/being pursued [by a man (to
violate her)]/Religious/Restless/Rousing the
patient/Running/Secret/Shooting/Sister/Stairs/Suffocation/Teeth (falling out)/
Tunnel/Unimportant/Unpleasant/Unremembered/Vexatious/Violence/Visionary/Visits
to relatives/Voice/War/Water/Writing
Chill: in general
Fever: heat in general
Skin: Burning
Coldness
Dry (inability to perspire)
Eruption – itching/rash/stinging/urticaria
Formication
Itching (> scratching)
Prickling
Sensitiveness
Generals: R. (l. then r. side)
Morning (on waking)/Afternoon (16 h./17 h.)/at night
(after midnight)
> Activity; amel.
Air; open air, desire for
Bathing > warm bathing
< bending affected part
>/< Cold
Energy excess
< physical exertion
Faintness (in crowded room)
Food and drinks: <: onions/rich food/sweets;
Desires: pastry/chocolate/cold drink, cold water/fat/fish/fruit
juice/juicy things/meat/spices/sugar/sweets;
Aversion; to food + hunger;
Heat – flushes/sensation of (at night)
Heaviness; externally
Influenza
Irritability, physical: excessive
Knotted sensation internally
Lassitude (afternoon)
Motion - </desire for
Mucous secretions increased
Numbness internally
Pain – in small spots/muscles/sore (externally)/twisting
< Pressure
Pulse – frequent (< motion)
> Rubbing
Sick feeling; vague
Sleep; loss of sleep, from
Sleep; short sleep amel.
Sluggishness of the body
Strength, sensation of
< Touch
Trembling externally (from anger)/internally
Twitching
> Uncovering
< Walking
> Warm
Weakness [morning (on waking)/evening/after stool]
Weariness [morning (on waking)/afternoon (16 h.)/evening]
CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSION
5.1 Introduction
Every substance in nature also exists as an electromagnetic field, and
could therefore have either a chemical or electromagnetic effect on a living
organism.
The chemical effect is direct and corresponds with the toxicology of the
substance. The electromagnetic effect is based on resonance and does not
ordinarily produce an effect outside of
individual susceptibility. However when potentised into homoeopathic
form, if the substance and the organism have similar levels of vibration, an
effect is produced. This similarity in resonance
as well as symptom picture is the basis of the Law of similars
(Vithoulkas, 2004:99).
The above underpins the assumption of this proving, that Strychnos henningsii 30CH (as an electromagnetic
stimulus) would produce observable symptoms in healthy individuals and that
there
would be some relationship between these effects and those of the crude
substance, or its alkaloids (as chemical entities).
In this chapter the comparison of the proving symptoms of Strychnos Henningsii 30CH to the
toxicological and pharmacological effects produced by the active components of Strychnos henningsii bark are
discussed.
5.2 Comparison Of The Toxicology of Strychnos henningsii And Symptoms
Obtained In The Proving
5.2.1 Strychnos
henningsii Alkaloids
In the study of Strychnos Henningsii bark, 5 alkaloids were isolated
mainly of the indole alkaloid group (Frederich, Hayette, Tits, De Mol, Angenot,
1999:2329).
The most common indole alkaloid is strychnine, common to the Strychnos
group (Hutchings, 1996:238).
The various sources of information about Strychnos Henningsii toxicity demonstrated its intense mode of
action on various systems of the body. The journal analysis of provers revealed
that provers experienced similar symptoms, but of a lower intensity. Thus by
using a Homeopathic preparation of Strychnos
Henningsii in a 30CH, the study was able to demonstrate the proving
symptoms of the gross symptomatology which would be experienced if the
substance was taken in the crude form.
Strychnos Henningsii in its crude form produces the
symptomatology described relative to the following alkaloids.:
i) Strychnine.x
ii) Diaboline, a convulsant and therefore causes seizures (Wikipedia,
The Free Encyclopedia, 2009).
iii) Holstiine, identified as having antiplasmodial activity, and can
therefore be effectively used as an anti-malarial (Ayuko, Njau, Cornelius,
Leah, Ndiege, 2008).
iv) Strychnochromine and Guianensine
These alkaloids are effective against Plasmodium falciparum (Frederich, Hayette, Tits, De Mol, Angenot,
1999:2329).
The following symptomatology and pathology arises due to the effects of
the Strychnos henningsii alkaloids
as described below:
• Heightened
senses; Increased energy and concentration:
4 provers experienced increased sensitivity of senses. 2 provers felt a
general alertness and an active mind. Prover 04 experienced increase
sensitivity to noise. Prover 14 became more aware of smells. Prover 4 smelled a
wet dog!
6 provers found that their energy had increased and they were able to
concentrate very well, even when accompanied by negative symptoms such as
tiredness. The nociceptive properties and the hyper reactivity of strychnine
poisoning explain the alertness of the mind, body and senses (Borges, Abrantes,
Teixeira, Parada, 1997).
• Relaxation:
The African Strychnos species
are infamous as hunting poisons producing muscle-stimulating as well as muscle-paralyzing
effects (Tits, Frederich, 2004). The muscle paralyzing effects of the crude
substance are demonstrated in a milder form by 5 provers feeling very relaxed
and calm.
• Anxiety
and irritability:
The initial response of strychnine poisoning is reported as agitation in
patients (Borges, Abrantes, Teixeira, Parada, 1997). This may occur on a mental
and physical level. Many provers felt very anxious. Provers 04 and 06 had
difficulty falling asleep. Provers 06, 14 and 20 woke up from their sleep feeling
anxious, fearful and restless.
Provers 20 and 25 were restless night. Provers 02 and 04 were worried
about their personal relationships. Prover 14 had extreme anxiety about work.
Irritability was a marked symptom with 10 provers having experienced
some degree of moodiness, becoming annoyed with no significant reason and
arguing more. Provers 09, 14, 15 and 20 experienced an irritable mood in the
morning.
• Apathy
and tiredness:
In occurrences of strychnine poisonings, patients (during and in between
convulsive episodes, have been noted to experience consciousness as well as
unconsciousness. 8 provers described absentmindedness, tiredness and inability
to focus. Prover 01 had many episodes of extreme tiredness, was very
absentminded, kept forgetting and felt as if in a ‘dream/shock state’.
• Crying:
Provers 02, 04, 11 and 14 felt over sensitive and wanted to cry. This
can be attributed to the hyper reactivity and heightened sensitivity of
strychnine toxicity.
• Vertigo
and hypotension:
Strychnine, Holstiine, Diaboline, Strychnochromine and Guianensine have
been isolated for their antiplasmodial effects (Frederich, Hayette, Tits, De
Mol, Angenot, 1999:2329). Lightheadedness
is a common malarial symptom. 4 provers felt dizzy or floating sensations.
Prover 20 and 06 became dizzy from getting up from the bed and rising from a
seated position respectively.
Prover 04 ‘felt like I was moving around quickly’ and felt confused >
closing eyes and shaking the head. The blurred vision experienced by prover 15
and prover 02 feeling her vision ‘a bit dotty’ may be from an episode of
lightheadedness. The vertigo is also due to the hypotensive effects of
Strychnine (Hutchings, 1996:238). Prover 09 said ‘I feel very weak and shaky -
as if I have low
blood pressure. It is how I imagine people to have low blood pressure’.
• Headaches:
Almost every prover experienced a headache of some sort. Headache
symptoms ranged from temporal, frontal, parietal, occipital and general
headaches. Headaches are commonly experienced in those suffering with malaria.
Strychnine, Holstiine, Diaboline, Strychnochromine and Guianensine have been
isolated for their effectiveness in malaria (Frederich, Hayette, Tits,
De Mol, Angenot, 1999:2329). A peculiar symptom was the headache like a
skullcap, experienced by provers 01 and 04.
• Itching,
burning and dryness:
Allergies suggest an exaggerated response to normal stimuli. Allergies
commonly cause itching, burning, tearing, sneezing, discharge etc. (Wikipedia,
The Free Encyclopedia, 2009). Strychnine poisoning has shown hyper reactivity
which explains the following symptoms.
Eyes: 6 provers had itchy scalps and dry hair. 8 provers
had eyes that were itchy and dry. Burning and tearing were also experienced.
Provers 02, 04, 14 felt it more in the left eye.
Prover 9 had throbbing, heaviness and a stye on the right eye.
Ears: Provers 02, 14, 15, 20 and 25 had
itchy ears. Prover 02 and 14 felt the right ear was itchy. Provers 15 and 25
were itchy in the left ear. Prover 25 also experienced increase sensitivity to
touch.
Prover 9 had an itchy nose. Many provers experienced hayfever symptoms,
blocked nose, discharge from the nose, and lots of sneezing.
Prover 09 had a dry, itchy, scratchy throat in the morning. Prover 25
had a slight discomfort with an itchy throat. Prover 20 had an itchy throat
that caused him to cough and felt bruised.
Prover 02 was itchy over the chest. Prover 04 was itchy along the
sternum. Prover 25 had a red, itchy skin rash over his ribs on the right side.
Prover 01 found her back dry and itchy. Prover 04 felt stinging and
burning along the spinal cord.
Prover 02 very itchy arms < left < above elbow medially. There was
also itching and raised lumps on her leg; and her feet were red. Prover 14 had
extremely dry skin.
Provers 01 and 04 felt dry and itchy. Prover 03 found increase
sensitivity of the skin. Prover 18 felt tingling as if something was crawling
underneath.
• Bad,
Bitter taste:
A poisonous alkaloid which is bitter to taste is said to be the chief
producer of the effects of Strychnos
henningsii (AgroForestry Tree Database, 2009).
Provers 2, 15 and 9 said they had a bad taste in their mouth. Prover 02
described it as ‘after taste from milk or cheese’.
• Throat
pain:
A sore throat results from an infection on most occasions. In African
Traditional medicine the ground bark of Strychnos
henningsii is used as an antiseptic for the mouth. Similarly the
antiseptic properties could aid in the treatment of pharyngitis. Provers 09,
06, 15, 20 and 25 experienced a sore throat. Prover 15 felt a lump blocking the
throat. Prover 20 felt it red, raw, sandy and < at 23 h.
• Nausea
and Vomiting:
Provers 02, 04, 09 felt nauseas. Prover 09 was nauseas at 10h30 and
vomited. On another occasion nausea started at 16h00 and resolved at 23 h.
Prover 23 vomited at 6h30. Strychnine is a gastrointestinal stimulant (Iwu,
1993:245). Furthermore, Strychnos
henningsii alkaloids have proved effective as antimalarials (Frederich,
Hayette, Tits, De Mol, Angenot, 1999:2329). Gastrointestinal complaints are
characteristic of malaria. Incl. nausea and vomiting. Also known that the
ground bark is used in its crude form to treat nausea by traditional healers
(AgroForestry Tree Database, 2009).
• Abdominal
Pain:
Strychnine is known to stimulate muscles, causing tightening and
twitches of muscles
(Borges, Abrantes, Teixeira, Parada, 1997). The spasmodic affections described
by prover 02 demonstrate the effect of strychnine. Prover 02 described her
stomach cramping, and being in knots. Prover 04 had abdominal cramps as if
something were pulling her belly button, and felt like pins and needles in
the belly button. Prover 14 has a crampy abdominal pain after sweet and
rich food > after going to the loo.
• Increased
and decreased appetite:
Prover 06, 14 and 25 had increased appetite. Provers 04 and 25 had
decreased appetite. It is interesting to note prover 25 had an increased and
decreased appetite. The bitter taste of strychnine stimulates the appetite
(Iwu, 1993:245). It is also known to have a great affinity to the
gastrointestinal system and used as an appetizer in Traditional African
Medicine (AgroForestry Tree Database, 2009). There is no information on the
effect of strychnine on appetite suppression.
• Thirst:
Provers 04, 25 and 31 had markedly increased thirst. Prover 04 wanted
ice water. Prover 25 was thirsty despite drinking 2 litres of water. Prover 31
wanted to drink juice. Increased thirst was a symptom that occurred on many
occasions with much intensity and is therefore worth mention. However, its
relationship with the strychnos alkaloids
is unclear due to lack of information.
The bitter taste of strychnine may contribute to stimulating thirst as
it stimulates appetite.
• Increased
Flatulence and Eructations:
Many provers had abdominal symptoms with bloating, increased flatulence
and eructation with a bad smell. Prover 1 had an unusual feeling of a dead
hamster in her tummy and felt she was burping ‘dead hampster’. Prover 11 was
bloated with gas in the lower quadrants (l.) but unable to pass gas. Prover 01
complained of increased gas with bad odour. Prover 02 also complained of
increased gas with bad odour, < onions, < after dinner, but was
frustrated at the inability to control the flatulence. Strychnine has action on
the gastrointestinal system and is used for gastrointestinal complaints
(AgroForestry Tree Database, 2009).
• Constipation:
Strychnine causes muscle paralysis and spasm thus affecting the rectal
sphincter and the colonic movements which affect defecation resulting in
constipation. Provers 01, 02, 09 and 20 experienced constipation. Prover 01 had
pain and stool felt like a plug. Prover 02 had a feeling of incomplete
evacuation as the stool became ‘stuck’.
• Diarrhoea
:
Strychnine is a gastrointestinal stimulant and therefore may result in
diarrhea. It is for this reason it is used for the treatment of constipation
(Iwu, 1993:245).
Prover 14 experienced more frequent stools, loosely formed. Prover 15
had to rush to the toilet after eating anything.
• Black
Stools:
Prover 04 and 06 had black stools. 2 provers described the pain in their
abdomen as liver pain. Prover 2 described the bad taste in her mouth as “bile”.
The black stools may therefore be indicative
of the effects on the liver in a toxic state where it produces black
stool. The black stools may also have a relation to its common name- coffee
bean, but no information is available to verify the symptom.
• Increased
Libido:
Provers 01, 15 and 14 experienced increased sex drive. The correlation
between the toxicity of Strychnos
henningsii and this symptom is unclear. However, strychnine is used for
the treatment
of male impotence (Iwu, 1993:245).
• Dysmenorrhoea:
Strychnos henningsii plant is used in zulu medicine for
the treatment of dysmenorrhoea. It is not certain which alkaloid is responsible
for the specific action, but strychnine stimulates muscle twitching resulting
in abdominal cramps (Hutchings, 1996:238). 5 provers experienced pain during
their period. Prover 11 experienced pains like something was ‘pulling and
twisting the uterus’. 3 provers also found that their menses were longer and
heavier than usual.
• Twitching:
Strychnine causes muscles twitches and hyper-reflexia (Borges, Abrantes,
Teixeira, Parada, 1997). It is this muscle-stimulating effect that accounts for
the twitching experienced by provers.
Eyes: Prover 15 had twitching of the left
eye on four occasions.
Hiccoughs: Prover 01 and 02 experienced
hiccoughs. Prover 01 had hiccoughs when thinking of studying.
Muscles: Provers 11 and 04 felt muscles go
into spasm, had tremors and weakness.
• Respiratory
constriction and pain:
Reports from strychnine poisoning show patients displaying muscle
tightness and spasm and eventual respiratory arrest (Borges, Abrantes, Teixeira,
Parada, 1997). This may be true to the
respiratory muscles as well. Provers 09, 15, 20 and 25 had tight chests
and difficulty breathing. Prover 25 had shortness of breath after exercise. The
chest pain experienced by provers
may be associated with spasm of the respiratory muscles. Respiratory
spasm also accounts for the dry cough that prover 09, 20 and 25 experienced.
• Back
Pain:
Back pain can be caused by the musculature of the back being in spasm or
from neurological sources. Strychnine causes muscle spasm and is also a CNS stimulant (Borges,
Abrantes, Teixeira,
Parada,
1997). Many
provers experienced back aches, lower back pains and stiffness which maybe due
to muscle spasm. Prover 25 felt a pinching sensation in his back possibly from
the CNS stimulant action of strychnine.
• Extremities
pain, heaviness, cramping, stiffness:
Symptoms of the extremities were the most common experienced in many
ways on various occasions. 10 provers felt muscle pains. Provers 02, 11, 25
felt cramping in the muscle. Strychnine
is known to initiate muscle twitching and cause muscle spasm (Borges,
Abrantes, Teixeira, Parada, 1997).
Interestingly, prover 14 found her thighs and knees ached ‘like form
lactic acid build-up’, and strychnine poisoning in its later stages causes
lactic acidosis (Borges, Abrantes, Teixeira, Parada, 1997).
• Dreams:
Poisoned: Prover 04 dreamt her boyfriend
tried to kill her. Strychnine is a poison and in high doses leads to death.
Anxiety and panic: The initial response of strychnine
poisoning is reported as agitation in patients (Borges, Abrantes, Teixeira, Parada, 1997). Provers 02, 28 and 14
had anxious dreams.
• Craving
sweet and cake:
This was a very common symptom but not enough information is available
to verify the occurrence.
• Flu-like
symptoms:
Strychnos henningsii alkaloids have proved effective as
in treating malarial symptoms (Frederich, Hayette, Tits, De Mol, Angenot,
1999:2329). The malaria patient experiences flu-like symptoms in the early
stages. Provers 09, 11 and 25 described their symptoms as ‘flu-like’.
5.3 Summary
The above discussion demonstrates some similarities between the
toxicology of Strychnos henningsii in
its crude form, and that of a majority of the symptomatology obtained during
the proving, particularly with respect to physical symptomatology and notable
effects at the general level. Toxicology does not account for many of the
delusions, dreams and more subtle symptomatology contained in the ‘mind’ and
‘general’ chapters.
http://ir.dut.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10321/547/Naidoo_2010.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
[Melanie Naidoo]
A Comparison of the Results of a triple blind proving of Strychnos
henningsii 30CH with the materia medica of existing remedies showing
repertorial similarity